Substituted aromatic thiocarboxylic acid amides and their use as herbicides

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed substituted thiocarboxamides of the general formula (I) 
                 
 
useful as herbicides.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/732,257, filed on Oct. 28, 1996 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,813), which is a 371 of PCT/EP95/01507, filed Apr. 21, 1995.

The invention relates to novel substituted aromatic thiocarboxamides, to processes for their preparation and to their use as herbicides.

It is already known that certain aromatic carbothioamides, for example 2,6-dichloro-benzothioamide (“chlorthiamid”), possess herbicidal properties (cf. GB-B 987253). However, the activity of this previously known compound, especially at low application rates and concentrations, is not entirely satisfactory in all areas of application.

The novel substituted aromatic thiocarboxamides have now been found of the general formula (I)

in which

-   R¹ represents hydrogen or halogen, -   R² represents the following group     —A¹—A²—A³     -   in which     -   A¹ represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur,         —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N—A⁴—, in which A⁴ represents         hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl, alkoxy, aryl,         alkylsulphonyl or arylsulphonyl,     -   A¹ additionally represents in each case optionally substituted         alkanediyl, alkenediyl, alkinediyl, cycloalkanediyl,         cycloalkenediyl or arenediyl,     -   A² represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur,         —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N—A⁴—, in which A⁴ represents         hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl, aryl, alkoxy,         alkylsulphonyl or arylsulphonyl,     -   A² additionally represents in each case optionally substituted         alkanediyl, alkenediyl, alkinediyl, cycloalkanediyl,         cycloalkenediyl or arenediyl,     -   A³ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, isocyano,         thiocyanato, nitro, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, sulpho,         chlorosulphonyl, halogen or represents in each case optionally         substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl,         alkylsulphonyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl,         dialkoxy (thio)phosphoryl, alkenyl, alkenyloxy, alkenylamino,         alkylideneamino, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkinyl, alkinyloxy,         alkinylamino, alkinyloxycarbonyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy,         cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkoxy, cycloalkylideneamino,         cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, cycloalkylalkoxycarbonyl, aryl, aryloxy,         arylalkyl, arylalkoxy, aryloxycarbonyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl,         heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkoxy or         heterocyclylalkoxycarbonyl,     -   R³ represents hydrogen or halogen or together with R² represents         an alkanediyl or an alkenediyl group which optionally contains         at the beginning (or end) or within the hydrocarbon chain an         oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, an SO₂ group, an NH group, an         N-alkyl group, a carbonyl group and/or a thiocarbonyl group, and     -   Z represents in each case optionally substituted monocyclic or         bicyclic, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl,         heterocyclylamino or heterocyclylimino.

The novel substituted aromatic thiocarboxamides of the general formula (I) are obtained if substituted aromatic nitrites of the general formula (II)

in which

R¹, R², R³ and Z have the meanings given above are reacted with hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) or with thioacetamide, optionally in the presence of a reaction auxiliary and optionally in the presence of a diluent.

The novel substituted aromatic thiocarboxamides of the general formula (I) are notable for strong and selective herbicidal activity.

In the definitions, the saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chains, such as alkyl, alkanediyl, alkenyl or alkinyl—alone or in conjunction with heteroatoms, such as in alkoxy, alkylthio or alkylamino - are each straight-chain or branched.

Halogen generally represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine, especially fluorine or chlorine.

The invention preferably relates to compounds of the formula (I) in which

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or bromine, -   R² represents the following group     —A¹—A²—A³     in which     -   A¹ represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur,         —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N—A⁴—, in which A⁴ represents         hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₄-alkenyl, C₃-C₄-alkinyl,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl or phenylsulphonyl,     -   A¹ additionally represents in each case optionally fluorine- or         chlorine-substituted C₁-C₆-alkanediyl, C₂-C₆-alkenediyl,         C₂-C₆alkinediyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkanediyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenediyl or         phenylene,     -   A² represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur,         —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N—A⁴—, in which A⁴ represents         hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₄-alkenyl, C₃-C₄-alkinyl,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl or phenylsulphonyl,     -   A² additionally represents in each case optionally fluorine- or         chlorine-substituted C₁-C₆-alkanediyl, C₂-C₆-alkenediyl,         C₂-C₆-alkinediyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkanediyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkenediyl or         phenylene,     -   A³ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, isocyano,         thiocyanato, nitro, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, sulpho,         chlorosulphonyl, halogen, or represents in each case optionally         halogen- or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-substituted alkyl, alkoxy, akylthio,         alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino,         alkoxycarbonyl or dialkoxy(thio) phosphoryl having in each case         1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, or represents in each         case optionally halogen-substituted alkenyl, alkenyloxy,         alkenylamino, alkylideneamino, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkinyl,         alkinyloxy, alkinylamino or alkinyloxycarbonyl having in each         case 2 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkenyl, alkylidene or alkinyl         groups, or represents in each case optionally halogen-, cyano-,         carboxyl-, C₁-C₄-alkyl- and/or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-caronyl-substituted         cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkoxy,         cycloalkylideneamino, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl or         cycloalkylalkoxycarbonyl having in each case 3 to 6 carbon atoms         in the cycloalkyl groups and optionally 1 to 4 carbon atoms in         the alkyl groups, or represents in each case optionally nitro-,         cyano-, carboxyl-, halogen-, C₁-C₄-alkyl-, C₁-C₄-halogenalkyl-,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy-, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyloxy- and/or         C₁-C₄-alkoxy-carbonyl-substituted phenyl, phenyloxy,         phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyloxycarbonyl or         phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, (in each case optionally totally or         partially hydrogenated) pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl,         triazolyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,         isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl,         triazinyl, pyrazolyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, furyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         thienyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, oxazolyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl isoxazole-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         thiazole-C₁-C₄-alkyl, pyridinyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         pyrimidinyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, pyrazolylmethoxy or furylmethoxy, or         represents perhydropyranylmethoxy or pyridylmethoxy,     -   R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or bromine or         together with R² represents an alkanediyl or alkenediyl group         having in each case up to 4 carbon atoms which optionally         contains at the beginning (or end) or within the hydrocarbon         chain an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, an SO₂ group, an NH group,         an N—C₁-C₄-alkyl group, a carbonyl group and/or a thiocarbonyl         group, and     -   Z represents in each case monocyclic or bicyclic, saturated or         unsaturated heterocyclyl, heterocyclylamino or heterocyclylimino         having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 4 nitrogen         atoms in the heterocyclic ring system, which optionally         additionally contains an oxygen atom or sulphur atom and/or         optionally up to three groups from the series —CO—, —CS—, —SO—         and/or SO₂—, and which is optionally substituted by one or more         groups from the series nitro, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, carboxyl,         carbamoyl, thiocarbamaoyl, halogen, C₃-C₆-alkyl (which is         optionally substituted by halogen or C₁-C₄-alkoxy),         C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkinyl (which are in each case         optionally substituted by halogen), C₁-C₆-alkoxy or         C₁-C₆-alkoxy-carbonyl (which are in each case optionally         substituted by halogen or C₁-C₄-alkoxy), C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy or         C₂-C₆-alkinyloxy (which are in each case optionally substituted         by halogen), C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenylthio or         C₂-C₆-alkinylthio (which are in each case optionally substituted         by halogen), C₁-C₆-alkylamino or di-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)-amino,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl (which are in         each case optionally substituted by halogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl),         phenyl, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsulphinyl, phenylsulphonyl or         phenylamino (which are in each case optionally substituted by         nitro, cyano, halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkyloxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyloxy and/or         C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl).

The invention particularly relates to compounds of the formula (I) in which

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine, -   R² represents the following group     —A¹—A²—A³     in which     -   A¹ represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur,         —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N—A⁴—, in which A⁴ represents         hydrogen, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-isopropyl, methoxy,         ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl,     -   A¹ additionally represents methylene, ethane-1,1-diyl,         ethane-1,2-diyl, propane-1,1-diyl, propane-1,2-diyl,         propane-1,3-diyl, ethene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,2-diyl,         propene-1,3-diyl, ethine-1,2diyl, propine-1,2-diyl or         0propine-1,3-diyl,     -   A² represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur,         —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N—A⁴—, in which A⁴ represents         hydrogen, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, methoxy,         ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or         i-propylsulphonyl or phenylsulphonyl,     -   A² additionally represents methylene, ethane-1,1-diyl,         ethane-1,2-diyl, propane-1,1-diyl, propane-1,2diyl,         propane-1,3diyl, ethene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,2-diyl,         propene-1,3-diyl, ethine-1,2-diyl, propine-1,2-diyl or         propine-1,3-diyl,     -   A³ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, nitro, carboxyl,         carbamoyl, sulpho, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or represents in         each case optionally fluorine-, chlorine-, methoxy- or         ethoxy-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or         t-butyl, n-, i-, s- or t-pentyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or         i-propoxy, n-, i-, s- or t-butoxy, n-, i-, s- or t-pentyloxy,         methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, n-, i-, s- or         t-butylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, n- or         i-propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or         i-propylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino,         n-, i-, s- or t-butylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino,         methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n- or i-propoxycarbonyl,         dimethoxyphosphoryl, diethoxyphosphoryl, dipropoxyphosphoryl or         diisopropoxyphosphoryl, or represents in each case optionally         fluorine- or chlorine-substituted propenyl, butenyl,         propenyloxy, butenyloxy, propenylamino, butenylamino,         propylideneamino, butylideneamino, propenyloxycarbonyl,         butenyloxycarbonyl, propinyl, butinyl, propinyloxy, butinyloxy,         propinylamino, butinylamino, propinyloxycarbonyl or         butinyloxycarbonyl, or represents in each case optionally         fluorine-, chlorine-, cyano-, carboxyl-, methyl-, ethyl-, n- or         i-propyl-, methoxycarbonyl- or ethoxycarbonyl-substituted         cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,         cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy,         cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl,         cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylmethoxy, cyclobutylmethoxy,         cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclohexylmethoxy, cyclopentylideneamino,         cyclohexylideneamino, cyclopentyloxycarbonyl,         cyclohexyloxycarbonyl, cyclopentylmethoxycarbonyl or         cyclohexylmethoxycarbonyl, or represents in each case optionally         nitro-, cyano-, carboxyl-, fluorine-, chlorine-, bromine-,         methyl-, ethyl-, n- or i-propyl-, trifluoromethyl-, methoxy-,         ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-, difluoromethoxy-, trifluoromethoxy-,         methoxycarbonyl- and/or ethoxycarbonyl-substituted phenyl,         phenyloxy, benzyl, phenylethyl, benzyloxy, phenyloxycarbonyl,         benzyloxycarbonyl, (in each case optionally completed or         partially hydrogenated) pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl,         triazolyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,         isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl,         triazinyl, pyrazolylmethyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl,         oxazolylmethyl, isoxazolemethyl, thiazolmethyl, pyridinylmethyl,         pyrimidinylmethyl, pyrazolylmethyl, furylmethoxy or         pyridylmethoxy,     -   R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine or together with R²         represents an alkanediyl or alkenediyl group having in each case         1 to 3 carbon atoms which optionally contains at the beginning         (or end) or within the hydrocarbon chain an oxygen atom, a         sulphur atom, an NH group, an N-methyl group, a carbonyl group         and/or a thiocarbonyl group, and     -   Z represents in each case monocyclic or bicyclic, saturated or         unsaturated heterocyclyl, heterocyclylamino or heterocyclylimino         having in each case 2 to 5 carbon atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen         atoms in the heterocyclic ring system, which optionally         additionally contains an oxygen atom or sulphur atom and/or         optionally up to two groups from the series —CO—, —CS—, —SO—         and/or SO₂—, and which is optionally substituted by one or more         groups from the series nitro, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, carboxyl,         carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine; methyl,         ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, (which are         optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, methoxy or         ethoxy); propenyl, butenyl, propinyl or butinyl (which are in         each case optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine);         methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, n-, i-, s- or t-butoxy,         methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl (which are in each case         optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, methoxy or         ethoxy); propenyloxy, butenyloxy, propinyloxy or butinyloxy         (which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine);         methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, n-, i-, s- or         t-butylthio, propenylthio, butenylthio, propinylthio or         butinylthio (which are in each case optionally substituted by         fluorine or chlorine); methylamino, ethylamino, n- or         i-propylamino, n-, i-, s- or t-butylamino, dimethylamino or         diethylamino; cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,         cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl or         cyclohexylmethyl (which are in each case optionally substituted         by fluorine, chlorine, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl), phenyl,         phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsulphinyl, phenylsulphonyl, or         phenylamino (which are in each case optionally substituted by         nitro, cyano, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n- or         i-propyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy,         difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl or         ethoxycarbonyl).

Very particularly preferred groups of compounds of the formula (I) are the compounds of the formula (Ia), (Ib) and (Ic) drawn below

-   R¹, R² and Z have the meanings indicated above as particularly     preferred, -   R⁴ and R⁵ are identical or different and independently of one     another in each case individually represent hydrogen, fluorine,     chlorine, methyl or ethyl—or in the formula (Ib) can also together     represent oxygen or sulphur—and -   Q represents oxygen, sulphur, N-methyl or N-ethyl. -   Z in the general formulae (I) and ((Ia), (Ib) and (Ic) represents in     particular the heterocyclic groups listed below -   where in each case -   Q¹ represents a group from the series —CO—, —CS—, —CH₂—, —CH(OH)—,     —CHCl—, —CHBr—, —C(═CH₂)—, —C(═CHF)—, —C(═CF₂)—, —C(═CHCl)—,     —C(═CHBr)—, —C(═CHOCHF₃)—, —(═CHOCF₃)—, —C(═CHOCH₂CF₃)—, -   Q² represents oxygen, sulphur or a group from the series —CO—, —CS—,     —CH₂—, —CHF—, —CF₂—, —CHCl—, —CHBr—, —CHOCHF₂—, —CHOCF₃—,     —CHOCH₂CF₃—, -   R⁶ represents hydrogen, amino, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl,     fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl,     cyclopropyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl,     methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy,     chlorodifluoromethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio,     difluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, chlorodifluoromethylthio,     methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino,     diethylamino, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, and -   R⁷ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, methyl, ethyl, n- or     i-propyl, difluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy,     or where optionally two adjacent groups—R⁶ and R⁶ or R⁷ and R⁷ or R⁶     and R⁷—together represent in each case optionally fluorine-,     chlorine-, bromine-, methyl-, ethyl-, n- or i-propyl-substituted     alkanediyl or alkenediyl having in each case up to 4 carbon atoms     which is optionally interrupted by oxygen, sulphur or a group from     the series —SO—, SO₂—, —N(CH₃)— or N(C₂H₅)— at the beginning (or at     the end) or within the hydrocarbon chain.

The definitions of radicals listed above, indicated in general or in ranges of preference, apply both to the end products of the formula (I) and, correspondingly, to the repsective starting materials and intermediates required for preparation. These radical definitions can be combined as desired with one another, which therefore includes any desired combinations between the indicated ranges of preferred compounds.

Examples of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention are listed in the groups below.

Group 1

(IA-1)

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have the meanings indicated in the following list: Synthesis Ex. No. R¹ R² R³ 1 H F H 2 H Cl H 3 H Cl Cl 4 Cl F H 5 F F H 6 F F Cl 7 F CH₃ H 8 F C₂H₅ H 9 F —CH₂Cl H 10 F F F 11 F —NHC₂H₅ H 12 F —CH₂CN H 13 F —N(CH₃)SO₂C₂H₅ H 14 Cl —N(CH₃)SO₂C₂H₅ H 15 Cl —N(CH₃)SO₂C₂H₅ Cl 16 F —NH—COCF₃ H 17 F —OH H 18 Cl —OH H 19 F —CH(CH₃)₂ H 20 F —NH—SO₂—CH₃ H 21 F —SO₂—CH₃ H 22 F —SO₂—O—CH₃ H 23 F —SO₂—NH—CH₃ H 24 F —COOCH₃ H 25 F —CO—NH—CH₃ H 26 Cl —COOCH₃ Cl 27 Cl —COOC₂H₅ H 28 F —O—C₂H₅ H 29 F —N(C₂H₅)SO₂C₂H₅ H 30 F —N(SO₂CH₃)₂ H 31 F —CO—N(CH₃)₂ H 32 F —S—CH₂—C≡CH H 33 Cl —S—CH₂C═CH F 34 F —S—CH₂—CH≡CH Cl 35 F —O—CH(CH₃)—C≡CH H 36 F —S—CH₂—COOCH₃ H 37 F —O—CH₂CH₂—OCH₃ H 38 F —O(CH₂CH₂O)₂CH₃ H 39 F —O—CH₂—CH═CH₂ H 40 F —O—CH₂—C≡CH H 41 F —SH H 42 F —S—CH₂ H 43 F —S—C₂H₅ H 44 F —S—CH(CH₃)₂ H 45 F —O—CH₂—CF₃ H 46 F —O—CH(CH₂F)₂ H 47 F

H 48 F

H 49 F —NH—SO₂C₂H₅ H 50 Cl —NH—SO₂C₂H₅ H 51 F —NH—SO₂C₂H₅ Cl 52 F —NH—SO₂CH(CH₃)₂ H 53 F —NH—SO₂C₄H₉ H 54 F —N═CH—OC₂H₅ H 55 F —N═C(CH₃)OC₂H₅ H 56 F —N═C(OCH₃)₂ H 57 F —N═CH—N(CH₃)₂ H 58 F —SCN H 59 F —SO₂Cl H 60 F —O—CS—N(CH₃)₂ H 61 F —S—CO—N(CH₃)₂ H 62 F —NH—P(O)(CH₃)OC₂H₅ H 63 F —NH—P(O)(OC₂H₅)₂ H 64 F —NH—COC₂H₅ H 65 F —N(CH₃)COCF₃ H 66 F —NH—COCH(CH₃)₂ H 67 F —NH—CO—CO—C(CH₃)₃ H 68 F —NH—CO—NH₂ H 69 F —NH—CO—NHCH₃ H 70 F —NH—CO—N(CH₃)₂ H 71 F —N(COCH₃)₂ H 72 F —NH—COCH(CH₂)Cl H 73 F —S—CH₂—CH═CH₂ H 74 Cl —S—CH₂—CH═CH₂ H 75 F —S—CH(CH₃)C≡CH H 76 F —S—CH(CH₃)COOC₂H₅ H 77 F —S(O)—CH₃ H 78 F

H 79 F

H 80 F

H 81 F

H 82 F

H 83 F

H 84 F —O—CH₂—CN H 85 F —O—SO₂CH₃ H 86 F —OCH₂—CH(Cl)═CH₂ H 87 F —O—CH₂—COOCH₃ H 88 F —O—CHF₂ H 89 F —OCOOCH₂CH₂Cl H 90 F —OCH₂P(O)(OC₂H₅)₂ H 91 Cl —O—CH(CH₃)P(O)(OC₂H₅)₂ H 92 F

H 93 F

H 94 F —O—N(C₂H₅)₂ H 95 F

H 96 F

H 97 F

Cl 98 Cl

H 99 F

F 100 F

H 101 F

H 102 F

H 103 F —NCH(CH₃)₂SO₂C₂H₅ H 104 F —N(CH₃)SO₂CH(CH₃)₂ H 105 H —N(CH₃)SO₂C₂H₅ Cl 106 Cl —N(CH₃)SO₂C₄H₉ H 107 F —N(CH₃)SO₂C₂H₅ H 108 F —N(CH₃)SO₂CH₃ H 109 F —N(SO₂C₂H₅)₂ H 110 F —N(SO₂CH₃)SO₂C₂H₅ H 111 F

H 112 F —N(CH₃)₂ H 113 F —NH₂ H 114 Cl —NH₂ H 115 Cl —O—CH(CH₃)₂ H 116 F —O—CH(CH₃)₂ H 117 F

H 118 Cl

H 119 F —O—CH₂—COOC₂H₅ H 120 F —S—CH₂—COOCH₃ H 121 F —S—CH₂—COOC₂H₅ H 122 Cl —S—CH₂—COOC₂H₅ H 123 F —CH₂—CH(Cl)COOCH₃ H 124 F —CH₂—CH(Cl)COOC₂H₅ H 125 F —CH₂—CH(Cl)CONHC₂H₅ H 126 Cl —CH₂—CH(Cl)CONHC₂H₅ H 127 Cl

H 128 F

H 129 F —COOC₃H₇-i H Group 2

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 3

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 4

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 5

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 6

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 7

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 8

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 9

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 10

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 11

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 12

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 13

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 14

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 15

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 16

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 17

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 18

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 19

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 20

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 21

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 22

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 23

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 24

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 25

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 26

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 27

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 28

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 29

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 30

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 31

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 32

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 33

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 34

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 35

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 36

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 37

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 38

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 39

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 40

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 41

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 42

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 43

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 44

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 45

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 36

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 47

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 48

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 49

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 50

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 51

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 52

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 53

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 54

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 55

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 56

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 57

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 58

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 59

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 60

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 61

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 62

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 63

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 64

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 65

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 66

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 67

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 68

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 69

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 70

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 71

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 72

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 73

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 74

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 75

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 76

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 77

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 78

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 79

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Table 80

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 81

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 82

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 83

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 84

In this formula, R¹, R² and R³ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 1. Group 85

In this formula, R¹, R⁴ and R⁵ have the meanings indicated in the following list:

Ex. No. R¹ R⁴ R⁵ 1 F CH₃ CH₃ 2 Cl CH₃ CH₃ 3 H CH₃ CH₃ 4 F Cl CH₃ 5 F Cl Cl 6 F C₂H₃ CH₃ Group 86

In this formula, R¹, R⁴ and R⁵ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 85. Group 87

In this formula, R¹, R⁴ and R⁵ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 85. Group 88

In this formula, R¹, R⁴ and R⁵ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 85. Group 89

In this formula, R¹, R⁴ and R⁵ have, for example, the meanings indicated above in Group 85.

Using, for example, 2-(2-fluoro-4-cyano-5-methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-difluoromethyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one and hydrogen sulphide as starting materials, the course of reaction of the process according to the invention can be illustrated by the following equation:

A general definition of the substituted aromatic nitriles to be used as starting materials in the process according to the invention for the preparation of the compounds of the general formula (I) is given by the formula (II). In the formula (II), R¹, R², R³ and Z preferably or in particular having those meanings which have already been indicated above, in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I), as preferred or, respectively, as particularly preferred for R¹, R², R³ and Z.

The starting materials of the formula (II) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes (cf. EP-A 370332; DE-A 4238125; DE-A 4303376; U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,084; Preparation Examples).

Suitable diluents for carrying out the process according to the invention are the customary organic solvents. These include, in particular, aliphatic, ahcyclic or aromatic, optionally halogenated hydrocarbons, for example benzine, benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, petroleum ether, hexane, cyclohexane, dichloromethane, chloroform, tetrachloromethane; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran or ethylene glycol dimethyl or diethyl ether; ketones, such as acetone, butanone or methyl isobutyl ketone; nitrites, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate, sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide, azines, such as pyridine, alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol n- or i-propanol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, mixtures thereof with water, or pure water.

The process according to the invention is preferably carried out in the presence of a suitable reaction auxiliary. Suitable such auxiliaries are all customary inorganic or organic bases. These include, for example, alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydrides, hydroxides, amides, alcoholates, acetates, carbonates or hydrogen carbonates, for example sodium hydride, sodium amide, sodium methylate, sodium ethylate, potassium-tert-butylate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, ammonium acetate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate or ammonium carbonate and also basic organic nitrogen compounds, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, N,N-methylaniline, pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), diazabicyclononene (DBN) or diazabicycloundecene (DBU).

The reaction temperatures when carrying out the process according to the invention can be varied within a relatively large range. It is generally carried out at temperatures between 0° C. and 100° C., preferably at temperatures between 10° C. and 80° C.

The process according to the invention is generally carried out under atmospheric pressure. However, it is also possible to operate under elevated or reduced pressure, generally between 0.1 bar and 10 bar.

To carry out the process according to the invention the starting materials of the formula (II) are introduced, generally in a suitable diluent in the presence of a reaction auxiliary, and the hydrogen sulphide or the thioacetamide is slowly metered in. The hydrogen sulphide or the thioacetamide are preferably employed in a relatively large excess. The reaction mixture is stirred for a number of hours at the particular temperature required. Working up in the process according to the invention is effected in each case in accordance with customary methods (cf. the Preparation Examples). The active compounds according to the invention can be used as defoliants, desiccants, haulum killers and, especially, as weedkillers. By weeds, in the broadest sense, there are to be understood all plants which grow in locations where they are not wanted. Whether the substances according to the invention act as total or selective herbicides depends especially on the amount used.

The active compounds according to the invention can be used, for example, in connection with the following plants:

Dicotyledon weeds of the genera: Sinapis, Lepidium, Galium, Stellaria, Matricaria, Anthemis, Galinsoga, Chenopodium, Urtica, Senecio, Amaranthus, Portulaca, Xanthium, Convolvulus, Ipomoea, Polygonum, Sesbania, Ambrosia, Cirsium, Carduus, Sonchus, Solanum, Rorippa, Rotala, Lindernia, Lamium, Veronica, Abutilon, Emex, Datura, Viola, Galeopsis, Papaver, Centaurea, Trifolium, Ranunculus and Taraxacum.

Dicotyledon crops of the genera: Gossypium, Glycine, Beta, Daucus, Phaseolus, Pisum, Solanium, Linum, Ipomoea, Vicia, Nicotiana, Lycopersicon, Arachis, Brassica, Lactuca, Cucumis and Cucurbita.

Monocotyledon weeds of the genera: Echinochloa, Setaris, Panicum, Digitaria, Phleum, Poa, Festuca, Eleusine, Brachiaria, Lolium, Bromus, Avena, Cyperus, Sorghum, Agropyron, Cynodon, Monochoria, Fimbristylis, Sagittaria, Eleocharis, Scirpus, Paspalum, Ischaemum, Sphenoclea, Dactyloctenium, Agrosis, Alopecurus and Apera.

Monocotyledon crops of the genera: Oryza, Zea, Triticum, Hordeum, Avena, Secale, Sorghum, Panicum, Saccharum, Ananas, Asparagus and Allium.

However, the use of the active compounds according to the invention is in no way restricted to these genera, but also extends in the same manner to other plants.

Depending on the concentration, the compounds are suitable for total weed control, for example on industrial terrain and rail tracks, and on paths and areas with or without tree stands. Equally, the compounds can be employed for controlling weeds in perennial crops, for example forests, ornamental tree plantings, orchards, vineyards, citrus groves, nut orchards, banana plantations, coffee plantations, tea plantations, rubber plantations, oil palm plantations, cocoa plantations, soft fruit plantings and hopfields, in lawns, turf and pastures, and for selective weed control in annual crops.

The compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention are particularly suitable for selective control of monocotyledon and dioctyledon weeds in monocotyledon and dicotyledon crops, but pre- and post-emergence.

To a certain extent, the compounds of the formula (I) also show a fungicidal action, for example against Pyricularia oryzae in rice.

The active compounds can be converted into the customary formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, wettable powders, suspensions, powders, dust, pastes, soluble powders, granules, suspoemulsion concentrates, natural and synthetic materials impregnated with active compound, and microencapsulations in polymeric substances.

These formulations are produced in a known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds with extenders, that is liquid solvents and/or solid carriers, optionally with the use of surfactants, that is emulsifiers and/or dispersants and/or foam-formers.

If water is used as an extender, organic solvents can, for example, also be used as auxiliary solvents. Liquid solvents which are mainly suitable are: aromatics such as xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic, hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example petroleum fractions, mineral and vegetable oils, alcohols such as butanol or glycol as well as their ethers and esters, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, and water.

Suitable solid carriers are:

for example ammonium salts and ground natural minerals such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montinorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals such as highly disperse silica, alumina and silicates; suitable solid carriers for granules are: for example crushed and fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite, or else synthetic granules of inorganic and organic metals, and granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks; suitable emulsifiers and/or foam-formers are: for example non-ionic and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkylsulphonates, alkyl sulphates, arylsulphonates and protein hydrolysates; suitable dispersants are: for example lignin-sulphite waste liquors and methylcellulose.

Adhesives such as carboxymethylcellulose and natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latexes such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, or else natural phospholipids such as cephalins and lecithins, and synthetic phospholipids can be used in the formulations. Further additives can be mineral and vegetable oils.

It is possible to use colourants such as inorganic pigments, for example iron, oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyes such as alizarin dyes, axo dyes and metal phthalocyanine dyes, and trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

The formulations generally comprise between 0.1 and 95 percent by weight of active compound, preferably between 0.5 and 90%.

For controlling weeds, the active compounds according to the invention, as such or in the form of their formulations, can also be used as mixtures with known herbicides, finished formulations or tank mixes being possible.

Possible components for the mixtures are known herbicides, examples being anilides, for example, diflufenican and propanil, arylcarboxylic acids, for example dichloropicolinic acid, dicamba and picloram; aryloxyalkanoic acids, for example 2,4 D, 2,4 DB, 2,4 DP, fluroxypyr, MCPA, MCPP and triclopyr, aryloxy-phenoxy-alkanoic esters, for example diclofop(-methyl), fenoxaprop(-ethyl), fluazifop(-butyl), haloxyfop(-methyl) and quizalofop(-ethyl); azinones, for example chloridazon and norfluorazon; carabamates, for example chlorpropham, desmedipham, phenmaedipham and propham; chloroacetanildes, for example alachlor, acetochlor, butachlor, metazachlor, metalachlor, pretilachlor and propachlor; dinitroanilines, for example oryzalin, pendimethalin and trifluralin; diphenyl ethers, for example aciffuorfen, bifenox, chlormethoxynil (X-52), chlornitrofen, fluoroglycofen, fomesafen, halosafen, lactofen, nitrofen and oxyfluorfen; ureas, for example chlortoluron, cumyluron (JC-940), diuron, dymron (daimuron), fluormeturon, isoproturon, linuron and methabenzathiazuron; hyroxylamines, for example alloxydim, clethodim, cycloxydim, sethoxydim and tralkoxydim; imidazolinones, for example imazethapyr, imazamethabenz, imazapyr and imazaquin; nitriles, for example bromoxynil, dichlorobenil and ioxynil; oxyacetamides, for example mefenacet; sulphonylureas, for example AC-014 (AC-322140), amidosulfuron, bensulfonuron(-methyl), chlorimuron(-ethyl), chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, DPX-47, HOE-404, imazosulfuron, metasulfuron(-methyl), nicosulfuron, primisulfuron, pyrazosulfuron(-ethyl), thifensulfouron(-methyl), triasulfuron and tribenuron(-methyl); thiocarbamates, for example butylate, cycloate, diallate, dimepiperate, EPTC, esprocarb, molinate, prosulphocarb, thiobencarb (benthiocarb) and triallate; triazines, for example atrazine, cyanazine, dimethametyn, promeltryne, simazin, simetryne, terbutryne and terbutylazin; triazinones, for example hexazinon, metamitron and metribuzin; others, for example aminotriazole, benfuresale, bensulide, bentazone, benzofenap, bromobutide, butamifos, cafenstrole (CH-900), cinmethylin, clomazone, clomeprop, clopyralid, DEH-112, difenzoquat, dimethenamid, dithiopyr, ethofumesate, flumetsulam, fluorochloridone, glufosinate, glyphosate; aminoprophos(-methyl), anilofos, etobenzamid (HW-52), isoxaben, KPP-314, KUH-833, KUH-911, KUH-920, MK-243, naproanilide, KSK-850, oxadiazon, piperophos, propanil, pyrazolate, pyrazoxyfen, pyributicarb, pyridate, quinchlorac, quinmerac, sulphosate and tridiphane.

Mixtures with other known active compounds, such as fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, bird repellants, plant nutrients and soil conditioners, are also possible.

The active compounds can be used as such, in the form of their formulations or in the use forms prepared therefrom by further dilution, such as already-to-use solutions, suspensions, emulsions, powders, pastes and granules. They are used in the customary manner, for example by watering, spraying, atomizing or spreading.

The active compounds according to the invention can be applied either before or after emergence of the plants. They can also be incorporated into the soil before sowing.

The amount of active compound used can vary within a substantial range. It depends essentially on the nature of the desired effect. In general, the amounts used are between 10 g and 10 kg of active compound per hectare of soil surface, preferably between 50 g and 5 kg per ha

The preparation and use of the active compounds according to the invention can be seen from the examples which follow.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES Example 1

Hydrogen sulphide is passed at from 50° C. to 60° C. to saturation point into a mixture of 5.5 g (15 mmol) of 2-(4-cyano-2-fluoro-5-ethylsulphonylamino-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazole[4,3-a]pyridin-3-(2H)one, 5 ml of triethylamine and 50 ml of pyridine and the mixture is stirred at 60° C. for 30 minutes more. It is then concentrated in vacuo, the residue is stirred with 2 N hydrochloric acid and the solids are filtered off. The solid product is recrystallized from isopropanol.

4.8 g (80% of theory) of 2-2-fluoro-5-ethylsulphonylamino-4-thiocarbamoyl-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,2,4triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3(2H)-one are obtained of melting point 220° C.

Example 2

4.04 g (0.04 mol) of triethylamine are added to 6.3 g (0.02 mol) of 2-(2-fluoro-4-cyano-5-amino-phenyl)-4-ethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one in 100 ml of acetone. Hydrogen sulphide is passed in rapidly at 23° C., and the internal temperature rises to 33° C. The reaction is complete after 1 hour. The solution is concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue is recrystallized from isopropanol.

2.9 g (42% theory) of 2-(4-fluoro-4-thiocarbamoyl-5-amino-phenyl)-4-ethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one are obtained of melting point 161° C.

Example 3

11 g (0.0276 mol) of 2-(2-fluoro-4-cyano-5-ethylsulphonylaminophenyl)-4-methyl-5-difluoromethyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione are stirred at 70° C. for 4.5 hours in 100 ml of pyridine while passing in hydrogen sulphide. The solution is concentrated on a rotary evaporator, the residue is stirred in water, the mixture is acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid, and precipitated product is filtered off, washed with water and recrystallized from isopropanol.

9 g (77% of theory) of 2-(2-fluoro-4-thiocarbamoyl-5-ethylsulphonylaminophenyl)-4-methyl-5-difluoromethyl-2,4dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione are obtained of melting point 183° C.

In analogy to Preparation Examples 1, 2 and 3 and in accordance with the general description of the preparation process according to the invention it is also possible, for example, to prepare the compounds of the formula (I) listed in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Examples of the compounds of the formula (I) (I)

Melting Ex. No. R¹ R² R³ Z point (° C.) 4 F F H

110 5 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

143 6 F

H

162 7 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

237 (Triethyl- ammonium salt) 8 F F H

220 9 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

218 10 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

185 11 F F H

218 12 F —OC₂H₅ H

202 13 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

210 14 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

203 15 F F H

185 16 F

H

170 17 F —OCH(CH₃)₂ H

206 18 F OH H

250 19 F

H

98 20 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

208 21 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

53 22 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

(amorphous) 23 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

183 24 F

H

167 25 F —NH—SO₂—CH₃ H

130 26 F —NH—SO₂—CH₃ H

243 27 F F H

199 28 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

202 29 F —NH—SO₂—CH₃ H

200 30 F —NH—SO₂—CH(CH₃)₂ H

204 31 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

195 32 F

H

122 33 F —O—CH₂—C≡CN H

190 34 F —NH—SO₂—CH₃ H

178 35 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H₇ H

203 36 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

199 37 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

153 38 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

206 39 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

167 40 F F H

130 41 F —OCH₂CF₃ H

173 42 F —OC₂H₄OCH₃ H

148 43 F —OC₂H₅ H

155 44 F —OC₃H₇ H

130 45 F F H

131 46 F —OCH(CH₃)₂ H

202 47 F —OC₂H₅ H

185 48 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

111 49 H —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

118 50 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H_(7−n) H

143 51 F —OC₂H₄OC₂H₄OCH₃ H

168 52 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H_(7−n) H

(amorphous) 53 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H_(7−n) H

232 54 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H_(7−i) H

226 55 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H_(7−i) H

187 56 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H_(7−i) H

236 57 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H_(7−i) H

252 58 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H_(7−i) H

109 59 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H_(7−i) H

207 60 F —NH—SO₂—C₃H_(7−i) H

215 61 F —N(CH₃)—SO₂C₂H₅ H

102 62 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

185 63 Cl —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

121 64 F F H

157 65 F —NH—SO₂—C₂H₅ H

195 66 F —OH H

193 (decomp) DBU salt Preparation of the Starting Compounds:

Example II-1

5.8 g (0.042 mol) of potassium carbonate are added at room temperature to 6.3 g (0.034 mol) of 4-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-triazolin-5-one (cf. e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,052) and 5.4 g (0.034 mol) of 2,3,5-trifluorobenzoidtrile (cf. e.g. EP 191181) in 150 ml of dimethyl sulphoxide and the mixture is subsequently heated at 100° C. for 14 hours. For working up, the cooled reaction mixture is placed in water, adjusted to a pH of 2 with dilute hydrochloric acid and subjected several times to extraction with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed over silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane).

6.2 g (60% of theory) of 1-(4-cyano-2,5-difluorophenyl)-4-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-triazolin-5-one are obtained of melting point 74° C.

Example II-2

0.83 g (0.006 mmol) of potassium carbonate is added at room temperature to 1.52 g (0.005 mol) of 1-(4-cyano-2,5-difluorophenyl)-4-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-triazolin-5-one and 0.48 g (0.005 mol) of methanesulphonamide in 50 ml of dimethyl sulphoxide and the mixture is subsequently heated at 120° C. for 12 hours. For working up, the cooled reaction mixture is placed in water, adjusted to a pH of 2 with dilute hydrochloric acid and subjected several times to extraction with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed over silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane/methanol 20:1).

0.55 g (28% of theory) of 1-(4-cyano-2-fluoro-5-methylsulphonylaminophenyl)-4-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4triazole-5-one is obtained of melting point 67° C.

Example II-3

0.3 g (10 mmol) of sodium hydride (80%) is added at from 0° C. to 5° C. to an initial charge of 1.8 g (10 mmol) of ethyl 3-amino-4,4,4-trifluoro-crotonate in 30 ml of dimethylformamide and 2 ml of toluene. The mixture is stirred at from 0° C. to 5° C. for 30 minutes. After the mixture has been cooled to −70° C., 0.9 g (5 mmol) of 4-cyano-2,5-difluorophenyl isocyanate—dissolved in 10 ml of toluene—is added and the mixture is stirred at from −60° C. to −70° C. for 150 minutes. After the cooling bath has been removed, 2 ml of acetic acid are added. The mixture is then diluted with water to about twice the volume and subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is concentrated and the residue is crystallized with diisopropyl ether.

1.1 g (69% of theory) of 1-(4-cyano-2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-3,6-dihydro-2,6-dioxo-4-trifluoromethyl-1-(2H)-pyrimidine are obtained of melting point 194° C.

Example II-4

A mixture of 0.83 g (3 mmol) of 1-(4-cyano-2,5-difluorophenyl)-3,6-dihydro-2,6-dioxo-3,4-dimethyl-(2H)-pyrimidine, 0.32 g (3 mmol) of methane sulphonamide, 0.6 g of potassium carbonate and 10 m of dimethyl sulphoxide is heated at 120° C. for 10 hours. After cooling, the mixture is poured into ice-water and acidified with 2 N hydrochloric acid. It is then subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate and the organic phase is washed with water, dried with sodium sulphate and filtered. The solvent is carefully removed from the filtrate by distillation under a water-pump vacuum.

0.8 g (76% of theory) of 1-(4-cyano-2-fluoro-5-methylsulphonylmainophenyl)-3,6-dihydro-2,6-dioxo-3,4-dimethyl-1(2H)-pyrimidine is obtained as crystalline residue (melting point>250° C.).

Use Examples:

Example A

Pre-Emergence Test

Solvent: 5 parts by weight of acetone

Emulsifier 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent, the stated amount of emulsifier is added and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

Seeds of the test plants are sown in normal soil and, after 24 hours, watered with the preparation of active compound. It is expedient to keep constant the amount of water per unit area. The concentration of the active compound in the preparation is of no importance, only the amount of active compound applied per unit area being decisive. After three weeks, the degree of damage to the plants is rated in % damage in comparison to the development of the untreated control. The figures denote:

-   -   0%=no action (like untreated control)     -   100%=total destruction

TABLE A Pre-emergence test/greenhouse Active compound Applica- (Synthesis tion Example rate Amaran- Cheno- Matri- Portu- Sola- Number) (g/ha) Barley Maize thus podium caria laca num (3) 125 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 (5) 125 0 0 100 100 90 90 100 (6) 125 0 30 100 100 95 100 100 (7) 125 30 0 100 100 95 100 95

TABLE B Pre-emergence test/greenhouse Active compound Applica- (Synthesis tion Example rate Abu- Amaran- Cheno- Matri- Portu- Sola- Number) (g/ha) Wheat Maize thilon thus podium caria laca num 19 60 10 0 100 95 100 100 100 100 20 60 20 0 100 100 100 100 100 100 21 60 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 100 22 250 0 20 100 100 100 100 95 100 23 60 0 0 95 70 95 100 95 70 24 30 0 20 100 95 100 100 100 100 25 30 0 0 100 100 90 100 100 100 26 60 0 0 100 80 100 100 100 90 4 250 0 10 80 50 70 95 90 70 5 125 0 0 10 100 100 70 90 100 3 60 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 100 6 60 20 30 100 100 100 100 100 95 7 125 50 0 95 100 100 95 100 95 8 60 40 0 100 100 100 95 95 100 9 60 0 0 100 100 100 95 90 100 1 125 0 0 100 100 100 95 100 100 12 60 20 0 70 70 100 95 95 70 13 60 0 0 100 100 100 70 90 100 16 60 10 0 95 20 100 90 80 80 17 30 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 100 28 60 0 20 100 100 100 100 100 100 29 60 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 100 30 60 0 0 100 100 100 90 100 100 31 60 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 100 32 30 10 0 — 100 100 100 95 100 33 30 10 10 95 95 100 100 100 100 34 60 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 100 35 60 0 0 100 100 100 90 95 100 40 250 20 0 30 40 100 95 100 80 41 60 20 30 100 100 100 100 100 100 45 125 0 0 95 100 100 100 90 95 46 60 0 70 100 100 100 100 100 100 47 30 0 0 100 95 100 100 100 100 48 60 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 100 51 30 0 20 100 — 100 95 100 100

Example B

Post-Emergence Test

Solvent: 5 parts by weight of acetone

Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent, the stated amount of emulsifier is added and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

Test plants which have a height of 5-15 cm are sprayed with the preparation of active compound is such a way as to apply the particular amounts of active compound desired per unit area. After three weeks, the degree of damage to the plants is rated in % damage in comparison to the development of the untreated control.

The figures denote:

-   -   0%=no action (like untreated condition)     -   100%=total destruction

TABLE C Post-emergence test/greenhouse Active compound Applica- (Synthesis tion Example rate Abu- Amaran- Cheno- Sola- Veron- Number) (g/ha) Wheat Maize thilon thus podium num ica 19 4 5 20 95 95 95 100 100 20 4 0 15 100 95 95 100 95 21 4 5 60 90 100 70 100 100 22 30 15 0 100 100 40 100 20 23 30 0 50 95 — 90 100 100 24 30 15 70 100 100 100 100 100 25 15 0 50 100 100 100 100 100 26 15 0 30 50 90 50 50 100 5 15 10 20 100 100 100 100 100 3 30 10 30 100 100 100 100 100 6 8 30 50 100 100 100 100 95 7 60 10 50 100 100 95 100 95 8 60 10 30 100 100 100 100 100 9 60 10 30 100 100 100 100 100 1 15 10 50 100 95 95 100 100 12 8 10 30 100 100 95 100 100 13 15 0 30 95 100 80 100 90 16 60 20 60 95 100 100 100 100 17 8 10 10 100 100 95 100 100 28 30 0 30 100 100 90 100 100 29 8 5 0 70 100 90 100 95 30 8 0 50 100 100 95 100 70 31 8 0 70 100 100 90 100 100 32 4 15 30 100 100 95 100 100 33 4 20 60 100 100 100 100 100 34 15 0 30 100 100 100 100 100 35 30 0 25 100 100 90 100 95 40 125 10 5 50 70 100 100 90 41 15 20 50 100 80 90 100 95 43 15 0 50 100 95 100 100 100 44 8 0 15 100 100 100 95 100 45 8 10 40 95 95 95 100 — 46 8 15 20 100 100 95 100 100 47 8 10 10 100 100 95 100 100 48 8 5 60 100 100 80 100 100 49 8 0 60 60 100 10 100 100 50 15 5 70 100 95 80 100 95 51 15 15 60 100 100 70 100 100 

1. A substituted aromatic thiocarboxamide of the formula

wherein R¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or bromine, R² represents the following group —A¹—A²—A³ in which A¹ represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur, —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N(A⁴)—, in which A⁴ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₄-alkenyl, C₃-C₄-alkinyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl or phenylsulphonyl, A¹ additionally represents in each case optionally fluorine- or chlorine-substituted C₁-C₆-alkanediyl, C₂-C₆-alkenediyl, C₂-C₆-alkinediyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkanediyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenediyl or phenylene, A² represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur, —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N—(A⁴)—, in which A⁴ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₄-alkenyl, C₃-C₄-alkinyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl or phenylsulphonyl, A² additionally represents in each case optionally fluorine- or chlorine-substituted C₁-C₆-alkanediyl, C₂-C₆-alkenediyl, C₂-C₆-alkinediyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkanediyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkenediyl or phenylene, A³ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, isocyano, thiocyanato, nitro, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, sulpho, chlorosulphonyl, halogen, or represents in each case optionally halogen- or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-substituted alkyl, alkoxy, akylthio, alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl or dialkoxy(thio) phosphoryl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, or represents in each case optionally halogen-substituted alkenyl, alkenyloxy, alkenylamino, alkylideneamino, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkinyl, alkinyloxy, alkinylamino or alkinyloxycarbonyl having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkenyl, alkylidene or alkinyl groups, or represents in each case optionally halogen-, cyano-, carboxyl-, C₁-C₄-alkyl- and/or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-carbonyl-substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkoxy, cycloalkylideneamino, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl or cycloalkylalkoxycarbonyl having in each case 3 to 6 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl groups and optionally 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, or represents in each case optionally nitro-, cyano-, carboxyl-, halogen-, C₁-C₄-alkyl-, C₁-C₄-halogenalkyl-, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyloxy- and/or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-carbonyl-substituted phenyl, phenyloxy, phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyloxycarbonyl or phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, (in each case optionally totally or partially hydrogenated) pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl, pyrazolyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, furyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, thienyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, oxazolyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl isoxazole-C₁-C₄-alkyl, thiazole-C₁-C₄-alkyl, pyridinyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, pyrimidinyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, pyrazolylmethoxy or furylmethoxy, or represents perhydropyranylmethoxy or pyridylmethoxy, R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or bromine or together with R² represents an alkanediyl or alkenediyl group having in each case up to 4 carbon atoms which optionally contains at the beginning (or end) or within the hydrocarbon chain an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, an SO₂ group, an NH group, an N—C₁-C₄-alkyl group, a carbonyl group and/or a thiocarbonyl group, and Z represents Z³:

wherein: Q¹ represents a group from the series —CO—, —CS—, —CH₂—, —CH(OH)—, —CHCl—, —CHBr—, —C(═CH₂)—, —C(═CHF)—, —C(═CF₂)—, —C(═CHCl)—, —C(═CHBr)—, —C(═CHOCHF₃)—, —C (═CHOCF₃)—, —C(═CHOCH₂CF₃)—, R⁶ represents hydrogen, amino, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, cyclopropyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, chlorodifluoro-methoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, difluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, chlorodifluoromethylthio, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, and R⁷ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, difluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy.
 2. A substituted aromatic thiocarboxamide of the formula (I)

wherein R¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or bromine, R² represents the following group —A¹—A²—A³ in which A¹ represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur, —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N(A⁴)—, in which A⁴ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₄-alkenyl, C₃-C₄-alkinyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl or phenylsulphonyl, A¹ additionally represents in each case optionally fluorine- or chlorine-substituted C₁-C₆-alkendiyl, C₂-C₆-alkenediyl, C₂-C₆-alkinediyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkanediyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenediyl or phenylene, A² represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur, —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N(A⁴)—, in which A⁴ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₄-alkenyl, C₃-C₄-alkinyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyl, C₁-C₄-alkylsulphonyl or phenylsulphonyl, A² additionally represents in each case optionally fluorine- or chlorine-substituted C₁-C₆-alkanediyl, C₂-C₆-alkenediyl, C₂-C₆-alkinediyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkanediyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenediyl or phenylene, A³ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, isocyano, thiocyanato, nitro, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, sulpho, chlorosulphonyl, halogen, or represents in each case optionally halogen- or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkoxycarbonyl or dialkoxy(thio)phosphoryl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, or represents in each case optionally halogen-substituted alkenyl, alkenyloxy, alkenylamino, alkylideneamino, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkinyl, alkinyloxy, alkinylamino or alkinyloxycarbonyl having in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkenyl, alkylidene or alkinyl groups, or represents in each case optionally halogen-, cyano-, carboxyl-, C₁-C₄-alkyl- and/or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-carbonyl-substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkoxy, cycloalkylideneamino, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl or cycloalkylalkoxycarbonyl having in each case 3 to 6 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl groups and optionally 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, or represents in each case optionally nitro-, cyano-, carboxyl-, halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl-, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl-, C₁-C₄-alkyloxy-, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyloxy- and/or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-carbonyl-substituted phenyl, phenyloxy, phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, phenyloxycarbonyl or phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, (in each case optionally totally or partially hydrogenated) pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl, pyrazolyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, furyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, thienyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, oxazolyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, isoxazole-C₁-C₄-alkyl, thiazole-C₁-C₄-alkyl, pyridinyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, pyrimidinyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, pyrazolylmethoxy or furylmethoxy, or represents perhydropyranylmethoxy or pyridylmethoxy, R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or bromine or together with R² represents an alkanediyl or alkenediyl group having in each case up to 4 carbon atoms which optionally contains at the beginning (or end) or within the hydrocarbon chain an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, an SO₂ group, an NH group, an N—C₁-C₄-alkyl group, a carbonyl group and/or thiocarbonyl group, and Z represents Z³:

wherein Q¹ represents a group from the series —CO—, —CS—, —CH₂—, —CH(OH)—, —CHCl—, —CHBr—, —C(═CH₂)—, —C(═CHF)—, —C(═CF₂)—, —C(═CHCl)—, —C(═CHBr)—, —C(═CHOCHF₂)—, —C(═CHOCF₃)—, —C(═CHOCH₂CF₃)—, R⁶ represents hydrogen, amino, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, cyclopropyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, chlorodifluoro-methoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, difluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, chlorodifluoromethylthio, methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, and R⁷ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, difluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy.
 3. A substituted aromatic thiocarboxamide of the formula (I) according to claim 2, wherein R¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine, or chlorine, R² represents the following group —A¹—A²—A³ in which A¹ represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur, —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N(A⁴)—, in which A⁴ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl, A¹ additionally represents methylene, ethane-1,1-diyl, ethane-1,2-diyl, propane-1,1-diyl, propane-1,2-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl, ethene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,3-diyl, ethine-1,2-diyl, propine-1,2-diyl or propine-1,3-diyl, A² represents a single bond, or represents oxygen, sulphur, —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO— or the group —N(A⁴)—, in which A⁴ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or i-propylsulphonyl or phenylsulphonyl, A² additionally represents methylene, ethane-1,1-diyl, ethane-1,1-diyl, ethane-1,2-diyl, propane-1,1-diyl, propane-1,2-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl, ethene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,3-diyl, ethine-1,2-diyl, propine-1,2-diyl or propine-1,3-diyl, A³ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, carbamoyl, sulpho, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or represents in each case optionally fluorine-, chlorine-, methoxy- or ethoxy-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-bytyl, n-, i-, s- or t-pentyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, n-, i-, s- or t-butoxy, n-, i-, s- or t-pentyloxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, n-, i-, s-, or t-butylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, n- or i-propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or i-propylamino, n-, i-, s- or t-butylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n- or i-propoxycarbonyl, dimethoxy-phosphoryl, diethoxyphosphoryl, dipropoxy-phosphoryl or diisopropoxyphosphoryl, or represents in each case optionally fluorine- or chlorine-substituted propenyl, butenyl, propenyloxy, butenyloxy, propenylamino, butenylamino, propylideneamino, butylideneamino, propenyloxycarbonyl, butenyloxycarbonyl, propinyl, butinyl, propinyloxy, butinyloxy, propinylamino, butinylamino, propinyloxycarbonyl or butinyloxycarbonyl, or represents in each case optionally fluorine-, chlorine-, cyano-, carboxyl-, methyl-, ethyl-, n- or i-propyl-, methoxycarbonyl- or ethoxycarbonyl-substituted cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylmethoxy, cyclobutylmethoxy, cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclohexylmethoxy, cyclopentylideneamino, cyclohexylideneamino, cyclopentyloxycarbonyl, cyclohexyloxycarbonyl, cyclopentylmethoxycarbonyl or cyclohexylmethoxycarbonyl, pr represents in each case optionally nitro-, cyano-, carboxyl-, fluorine-, chlorine-, bromine-, methyl-, ethyl-, n- or i-propyl, thifluoromethyl-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-, difluoromethoxy-, trifluoromethoxy-, methoxycarbonyl- and/or ethoxycarbonyl-substituted phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, phenylethyl, benzyloxy, phenyloxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, (in each case optionally completely or partially hydrogenated) pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl, pyrazolylmethyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, oxazolylmethyl, isoxazolemethyl, thiazolmethyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylmethyl, pyrazlylmethoxy, furylmethoxy or pyridylmethoxy, and R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine or together with R² represents an alkanediyl or alkenediyl group having in each case 1 to 3 carbon atoms which optionally contains at the beginning (or end) or within the hydrocarbon chain an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, an NH group, an N-methyl group, a carbonyl group and/or a thiocarbonyl group.
 4. A process for the preparation of a substituted aromatic thiocarboxamide of the formula (I)

in which R¹, R², R³ and Z have the meanings given in claim 2, comprising reacting a substituted aromatic nitrile of the formula (II)

in which R¹, R², R³ and Z have the meanings indicated above, with hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) or with thioacetamide, optionally in the presence of a reaction auxiliary and optionally in the presence of a diluent.
 5. A method of combatting unwanted plants comprising applying to said plants and/or heir habitat a herbicidally effective amount of at least one substituted aromatic thiocarboxamide of the formula (I) according to claim 1 or
 2. 6. A herbicidal composition comprising a herbicidally effective amount of at least one substituted aromatic thiocarboxamide of the formula (I) according to claim 2 or 3 and at least one extender and/or surfactant.
 7. A method of combatting unwanted plants comprising applying to said plants and/or their habitat a herbicidally effective amount of at least one substituted aromatic thiocarboxamide of the formula (I) according to claim 2 or 3 . 